IRVING (July 1, 2010)--Retail gasoline prices across Texas held steady this week at an average $2.61 a gallon going into the July Fourth holiday weekend, AAA-Texas said Thursday.

AAA says the state remains below the national average price at the pump, which held at $2.75.

The association's survey found Houston with the cheapest gasoline statewide, at $2.57 a gallon.

El Paso had the highest-priced gasoline, at $2.72, up 3 cents from last week.

AAA Texas says Hurricane Alex, which was downgraded Thursday to a tropical storm after making landfall in Mexico, did not impact refining facilities in Texas and Louisiana.

The association projects about 2.43 million Texans will be traveling away from home over the Independence Day weekend, up more than 14 percent from last year.